November 7th - 20th, 2027

Travel to the Kansai Airprt in Osaka, Japan from your location. Usually you'll land in Japan the next day due to the time change. 

Arrive at KIX, Kansai Airport, and walk to the Nikko Hotel which is located at the airport. Relax and rest up for an action-packed tour.

Tour of Osaka today. We'll visit the Rikyu Museum, (above), the Oriental Ceramics Museum, and watch a knife making demonstration in Sakai. Delicious Japanese lunch is included today. After our tour, we'll take a bullet train to Nagoya.

Day trip to Tajimi from Nagoya today. See potters and their studios. We'll also visit the Mino Ceramic Art Museum (above), and enjoy another delicious Japanese lunch, included.

Day trip to Seto from Nagoya today. See Shingo Takeuchi's beautiful sculptures at his studio. Tour the Setogura Museum, (above), ceramics and glass studio, and the Maneki-neko, (beckoning cat) shop).

Day trip to Tokoname from Nagoya today. Go to the INAX Museums and learn about the history of toilets, pipes, and teapots! Step inside a firing kiln (pretend) at the Tokoname Tou no Mori Museum . Walk the Pottery Path.

We;ll load up our luggage on the charter bus and go to Echizen for the day. Visit the Furaigama studio and enjoy a demonstration. See the Echizen Old Kiln Museum and the Fukui Prefectural Museum. Shop for pots at the Echizen Co-op. Bus will take us to Kyoto.

Free timet this morning after many busy days! Go out and enjoy Kyoto, or get a massage!  In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a hands-on workshop - TBA.

Tour of Kyoto today. See the  incredible, historic Kiyo-mizudera Temple, visit the Kyoto Ceramics Center and the Robert Yellin Ceramics gallery. 

Day trip to Tamba today. We'll visit two family studios, the Shoyo-gama (above) and the Toshihiko-gama. We'll also go to the Hyogo Museum of Ceramic Art and enjoy lunch at the Sue-no-Sato Ceramic Park.

Day trip to Shigaraki today..Visit the studios and homes of three different Shigaraki potters. (Takahashi Rakusai above) See their kilns and styles. We'll also go to the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Center, see studios and museums, and visit a ceramic supply store.

Another great day in Kyoto, touring the gorgeous Golden Pavilion,learn about the original Raku process that the historic Raku family developed at  the Raku Museum, and the Robert Yellin Yakimono ceramics gallery.

We;ll load up our luggage on the charter bus and go to Echizen for the day. Visit the Furaigama studio and enjoy a demonstration. See the Echizen Old Kiln Museum and the Fukui Prefectural Museum. Shop for pots at the Echizen Co-op. Bus will take us to Kyoto.

Depending on your return flight, we'll take the Haruka train that goes to the airport from Kyoto Station.  

Savor the great trip that you had in Japan and sort through the great things you bought and the amazing photos! Allow some downtime if possible as the time change is challenging!